"West Side Story" Brings Energy and Excitement to the 2016 Mountain Play

It's always amazing to see how the Mountain Play transforms Mt. Tam's Cushing Memorial Amphitheater. Last year it was Neverland and Captain Hook's pirate ship, and this season it's the inner-city New York neighborhood setting of West Side Story. We got a chance to see the Mountain Play's production of this Broadway classic on its opening day, and as usual, it was a fantastic outdoor theater experience! My 10-year-old daughter and I really felt like we were transported to a different place and era.

With plenty of classic songs like "Maria", "America", and "I Feel Pretty" and spectacular dancing choreographed by Nicole Helfer and based on the Jerome Robbins' original work, West Side Story is exhilarating and full of energy. It's based on Romeo and Juliet, so don't expect a happy ending, though. West Side Story is directed by Jay Manley (who also directed The Sound of Music on Mt. Tam in 2013), and Leonard Bernstein's score is performed by David Möschler leading a live 18-piece orchestra.

As Maria and Tony, Mindy Lym and Jerry Lee stood out in impressive lead performances, and we loved Erica Lamkin (who stood out as Tiger Lilly in last year's Peter Pan)  as Anita, Maria's best friend. The rival gangs, the Sharks and the Jets, were portrayed by a huge cast of performers, and really brought things to life with their high-energy and exciting songs and dancing as well as their colorful costumes. These scenes were my daughter's favorite parts of the play, but of course she really enjoyed is as a whole, too.

The West Side Story set was pretty amazing, transforming the Mountain Play's al fresco venue into an rough inner-city neighborhood, complete with graffiti, run-down buildings, and even a broken-down car. It, along with the performances of the cast, really transports you to another time and place. I'm always amazed at the innovative sets and scenery at the Mountain Play and how they manage to get so much out of their outdoor space.

As always, it's a wonderful live musical theater experience for everyone in the family, and a must-do Marin County experience. My kids look forward to going to the Mountain Play every year. Great tickets are still available for all remaining Mountain Play performances: May 29 and June 5, 11, 12, and 19. All shows begin at 2 pm, but there's plenty of pre-show entertainment so make sure you get there early.

If You Go

General seating tickets to the Mountain Play are $40 for adults, $35 for seniors 65+, $30 for youths 14–20, and $25 for children 4–13; children 3 and under are free. Reserved seats start at $60. Order tickets online here or by phone at (415) 383-1100. You can also buy your tickets at the door; the box office opens at 9 am. Performances start at 2 pm and end around 4:30 pm, but of course you'll want to get there early for maximum fun.

When you go, make sure you're prepared for any kind of weather. Even if it's foggy in Mill Valley, the Rock Springs and amphitheater area can be above it all and bathed in bright sunlight. Of course it can be windy and foggy, too. There are some areas of shade in the amphitheater, but they're available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hats, sunscreen, and layered clothing are a must at the Mountain Play. Make sure you bring plenty of drinking water, too, although drinking fountains and drink concessions are available at the play. Amphitheater seats are all stone blocks, so stadium cushions, pillows, blankets, and other forms of padding are a good idea, too. You can rent pads at the amphitheater, and reserved seats have pads in place already.

The Mountain Play takes place at the Cushing Memorial Amphitheater in Mount Tamalpais State Park. While you can park up at the amphitheater, which is located near the Rock Springs trailhead and parking area, parking there is very limited, and fills up early in the day.

The traditional way to get to the Mountain Play is to take one of the free shuttle buses up from Tamalpais High School or the Manzanita Park-and-Ride Lot (near the Buckeye restaurant). Buses leave approximately every 15 minutes starting at 10 am, and will take you back down the mountain after the play.

For more information on how to get to there, read our Insider's Guide to the 2016 Mountain Play. You can learn more about the Mountain Play at www.mountainplay.org or (415) 383-1100.